Staff Writer

Responsibilities
Before a staff writer can write an article, he has to know his subject. Researching is a large part of a staff writer's job responsibility, so he must show broad-based ability, including Internet searches; databases; and collecting information from public records, such as police reports, property transfer records and other documents.
An effective staff writer must master the art of interviewing. A newspaper staff writer, in particular, should be adept at interviewing diverse types. He may interview a police chief for one story and a heart surgeon for the next. A staff writer for an internal newsletter, on the other hand, is more likely to interview executives or managers. In any case, the staff writer who does his research will have a better understanding of what kinds of questions to ask.
Writing quality should be clear and concise, because this is not the forum for creative prose. A staff writer may write short or long articles, Internet content and different versions of an article for different audiences. A staff writer should understand how to use subject-verb agreement, avoid passive voice and use concrete nouns and vivid verbs. It is also vital to avoid wordiness.
A staff writer is responsible for working with print or Web publication designers to create an aesthetically-pleasing package. It is all about discussing an article's main points and what is important to the story. Thus, the designer can use these elements to create an attractive story package that will grab reader attention.
Although most staffs have one or more copy editors, staff writers are also responsible for doing some editing themselves. In addition to editing their own work before turning it in, staff writers often edit the work of others. They are expected to both give and receive feedback and make appropriate changes.
Qualifications and experience
A four-year college degree is typically required. A communications degree with an emphasis in journalism or English can be helpful when applying for a job. Though there are places hiring entry-level staff writers, the longer a writer works, the more he is able to apply for positions requiring more specific experience. Some staff writer positions at technical magazines or newsletters require experience writing about topics specific to the organization's mission.

Photographer

Qualifications
A degree is essential in photography as it would increase your chances of getting a job at a well known company and probably increase your salary. For becoming a photographer you need to know how to take pictures of animals (birds) without scaring them away, if this is not easy for you then you will find it harder to get a job as a photographer.
Rersponsibilities
Taking photos is only one part of a photographers duties. Depending on the type of photography in question, specific responsibilities will vary, but they'll usually encompass many of these:

Gear maintenance and upkeep
Knowledge of wide range of equipment
Budget/Pricing/Billing/Accounting
Location selection
Model selection
Lighting setup
Background selection/creation
Props
Supervision of assistants
Working with art directors/stylists/PR flak
Shooting the photo!
Supervising/performing post-processing
Customer service

Features editor

Responsibilities

The role will vary according to the size of the publication and the nature of its content, but responsibilities will typically include:

• overseeing the layout, appearance and content of feature articles;
• generating ideas for features with writing staff;
• commissioning articles from freelance and in-house writers;
• managing writing staff and freelance feature writers;
• editing and re-writing articles, some of which may be rejected or returned to the writer for revision;
• overseeing artwork, design and photography for the features section of the magazine;
• attending photo-shoots;
• organising meetings with writers and artists to discuss ideas for artwork, layout and features;
• negotiating payments with freelance writers;
• dealing with legal matters;
• selecting feature articles for each issue;
• sending out briefs to writers which can include word count, deadline, fee and writing style;
• proofreading all pages before going to press;
• raising the profile of the magazine;
• networking with others at industry events;
• assisting other staff to meet their deadlines.

Qualifications

The profession can be open to non-graduates, but most entrants will have degrees. Bear in mind that this role is not usually an entry-level position; you will need previous experience and a certain amount of training, obtained either through a degree or on the job.

Some specialist magazines, such as those in the business or science sectors, do require a degree in a relevant subject. It is possible to study journalism as an undergraduate degree, but it should not be assumed that this will be favoured over other degrees. Other subjects, such as art or geography, can often give you a specialism to write about.

Postgraduate qualifications are useful, but are not essential. Postgraduate degrees in creative writing or English are popular, and a postgraduate qualification in journalism is a useful way of topping up an undergraduate degree gained in another subject.

Experience

Magazine journalism, as with journalism generally, is heavily oversubscribed, and competition can be fierce. You can improve your chances by gaining work experience before applying for an entry-level position. Since work experience is valued over qualifications, a candidate with a portfolio of published work will stand a much better chance of employment.

There are plenty of opportunities to get your work published. The student newspaper is a good starting point, as are local newspapers. If you have a hobby, you can submit articles to magazines which serve that interest. If there is a local event which interests some national publications, you may be able to cover it for them if they do not have the resources to send someone down. It is also possible to self-publish through a website or music fanzine.

Sending off speculative applications for articles is a useful way of getting your work published. It is important to do your research on the magazine you are contacting. Editors will not be impressed if your suggested article demonstrates ignorance about the magazine and its readers.

Although writing experience is crucial, there are other skills that journalists might need. If you can develop these, you will stand a better chance of gaining employment. Knowledge of HTML code could be beneficial, particularly as more and more magazine content is going online. Experience of photography can also be useful, and a second language can come in handy for international publications.

Picture editor

Responsibilities

The picture researcher/editor is briefed on the image needed, the format, the target audience and the budget available. Tasks then include:

• finding the appropriate image (mainly sourced from on-line image banks or using established picture libraries and archives);
• liaising with the client ;
• dealing with licensing and copyright restrictions;
• negotiating the terms and conditions of the contract and the fee;
• keeping records, storing images and undertaking necessary administration;
• using IT skills to edit and manipulate images and navigating online search facilities;
• commissioning photographers to provide new images.

Experience

Picture researchers need to be creative and methodical with excellent IT skills.

Qualifications

Most new entrants are graduates. The subject you have studied is not of central importance, but publishing or visual arts qualifications may be useful. The Picture Research Association lists picture research courses on its website and also has a vacancy service for members. The Publishing Training Centre offers courses in picture research.

Art Director

Responsibilities

As an Art director there are many things that you need to do; generate original ideas, produce storyboards or sketches of ideas, present ideas to the agency's creative director, account managers and client, work up designs and finalise copy, appoint graphic designers, artists, photographers and film crew, select film locations and oversee photo and film shoots, and to oversee the final edit of all advertisements for presentation to the client.

Qualifications

There are no set qualifications. Most art director entrants have a degree, higher national diploma or foundation degree in graphic design, advertising design, art and design, illustration or fine art. Most courses require a portfolio of art and design work. Postgraduate degrees and diplomas in advertising are available. The Diploma in creative and media may be relevant.

Experience

A strategic understanding of business objectives and the ability to manage a talented team of designers. With several years’ experience, you’ll have the skills to design for the brand and the user, create strong conceptual pitch work and communicate the creative vision to the client.

Editor

Responsibilities

As an Editor of a magazine or newspaper, you have a few main responsibilities, such as; commissioning articles, deciding which articles will be included in the publication, deciding how they will be laid out for publishing, and considering submissions for inclusion from freelance journalists, photographers and illustrators.

Qualifications

There are no standard entry requirements, although most newspaper editors have wide experience in journalism. You can also take degree courses in publishing, and combined degree courses with publishing options. On top of the usual entry requirements, some courses may ask that you have passes in specific subjects, particularly English. Check with your chosen college or university for details.

Experience

As an editor of a specialist magazine you would usually need qualifications or experience in that particular field